Pule Hill walk

These ventilation shafts extend down to the Standedge canal tunnel below

This is part of the Ilkley Literature Festival Stanza Stone trail

Butterley reservoir is the first of four in the Wessenden Valley

Route overview

A circular walk that starts along the canal towpath before gently contouring around the sides of Pule Hill along its grassy banks. Enjoy views over the moorland and pass the remains of Marsden's industrial heritage.

Route details

From the National Trust Estate Office walk west along the towpath to the Standedge Tunnel visitor centre

Cross the canal and follow a path that climbs left up the embankment behind the Water's Edge Restaurant. Follow this until you emerge on to a road. Turn left then right at the next junction.

Walk up the road passing the houses on your right before following a walled path to the A62. Continue right up the road until you reach the Hey Green entrance road (approximately 200 metres); from here cross over the road to a stile.

Cross the stile and follow a path that heads uphill briefly before turning right to run parallel to the road around Pule Hill. Continue along this path keeping close to the farm walls on your right, eventually crossing a stile. Cross the stile and continue straight ahead towards the two brick ventilation shafts.

Along the route you will pass by the Engine House and ventilation shafts, evidence of the areas industrial past. These ventilation shafts extend down to the railway and canal tunnels below, which link Huddersfield with Oldham and beyond.

Stay on this lower path heading towards the far ventilation shaft and continue between the two shafts. Below to your right is a ruined Engine House built about 1800 to house the pit mechanism for the construction of the canal tunnel. Cross the quarry incline, or for a short detour to see the Stanza Stone walk up this incline to the top of Pule Hill Edge Quarry before returning to this point. Now follow a well defined path ahead until you reach Mount Road.

At step 5 you can take a short detour up to Pule Hill Edge quarry to view the Stanza Stone. This is one of a series of water themed poems by local poet Simon Armitage which form the Ilkey Literature Festival Stanza Stone trail.

Turn left along the road to a junction just before the cattle grid.

Drop down the hill to the gate on the right and follow the walled path down to an old house and track. Follow the track round to the right, reaching Old Mount Road at the bottom and then turn left to follow the road down into Marsden. On reaching Marsden cross the A62 to walk down Town Gate Road following the road left onto Church lane, past a church and then left up Station Road back to the Estate Office.

Step 7 is a great place to admire panoramic views over Marsden village and the bottom of the Wessenden Valley.

End: Marsden Moor Estate Office (SE047117)

In partnership with

Trail: Walking

Grade: Moderate

Distance: 4.5 miles (7 kilometres)

Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Terrain:

A circular walk that starts along the canal towpath and tarmac roads before gently contouring around the sides of Pule Hill across its grassy (and sometimes muddy!) banks. Some sections of this path can be quite wet, especially after heavy rain. Return to Marsden along quiet lanes and walled footpaths. Dogs are welcome but should be kept under close control at all times and on a lead during the bird breeding season (March - July).